Teen assaulted walking to school

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Police say a teen girl was assaulted while on her way to school Tuesday morning in Norfolk.

According to Karen Parker-Chesson with the Norfolk Police Department, a 13-year-old girl was walking to Northside Middle School in the 8800 block of Tidewater Drive just before 8 a.m. when a man in a white van with tinted windows pulled up next to her.   said the incident is being investigated as an attempted abduction.

A man walking in the opposite direction also approached the girl, assaulting her and grabbing her by the arm before the teen escaped.

Parker-Chesson said the incident is being investigated as an attempted abduction.

The following is a transcript of the voicemail left for parents of Northside Middle School students:

"Norfolk Police detectives are working with Norfolk Public Schools to investigate a report by Oceanair Elementary and Northside Middle School students of an alleged abduction attempt this morning as the students were walking to school. The students reported being approached by a man in a vehicle. The students did the right thing and reported the incident immediately to a crossing guard. The crossing guard then escorted the students to school, and Police were contacted. We will continue working with the Police to ensure that we are doing everything possible to ensure student safety. Please use this opportunity to remind your children that they should walk in groups to school; avoid contact with strangers; and report any suspicious activity immediately to a trusted adult."

The man in the van is described as a white man with brown hair, in his early 20s , wearing black clothing with piercings in his upper and lower lip.

The second man is described as a black man wearing dark-colored clothing and black and red shoes.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.